Road hockey tournament successful for WSCC

Twenty-five teams from IP to Bantam battled for road hockey supremacy at the West Side Community Centre this weekend in the centre’s first ball hockey tournament.

The two-day tournament was a partnership between the town and the WSCC.

“The goal of the event was to help raise funds toward playground renovations,” said Emily Morton-Fraser, interim projects assistant for the Town of New Glasgow.

Approximately $4,000 was raised, according to MortonFraser.

The idea for the WSCC Power Play road hockey tournament was hatched at a community development session with young people making the suggestion.

The event was well received. “We had a lot of great feedback,” Morton-Fraser said, adding it shows people other uses for the facility.

“We heard a lot of people who said they’d be back, and they’re bringing more teams,” said organizer Michelle Mullins.

Some divisions sold out, but not all.

“We’re very pleased with the turnout, especially since it’s the first year,” said Morton-Fraser, noting the sunny weather was a great bonus.

A total of 65 games were played Saturday and Sunday, with winners crowned in each division. Teams of between five and nine players competed in three-on-three hockey at three rinks, two on the WSCC’s concrete surface and one on Lavinia Street in front of the community centre, which was closed to traffic.

Morton-Fraser noted there is potential to add more rinks to accommodate more teams.

CAROL DUNN/THE NEWS A player with the Pavement Pounders tries to get the ball from Seth Gallant of the Pictou County Knights during a ball hockey tournament this weekend at the West Side Community Centre. The two teams played in the peewee division on Sunday.